"Oh... Is that my new cousin?" A young boy asked, stepping forward with curiosity.
He appeared to be roughly the same age as Jiang Chinan.
"That's right! This is our new cousin, Meixia." Jiang Fenfang answered proudly, taking it upon herself to act as the official announcer.
"Ah... You are so beautiful! I am Jiang Boqin. Can I call you Sister Meixia?" Jiang Boqin asked politely, his eyes sparkling with friendliness.
"Hmm..." Qiao Meixia nodded lightly once again, accepting the title.
Jiang Chinan, who had been silently observing the entire interaction from the corner of the room, could not help but click his tongue in sheer annoyance. He did not understand why he suddenly felt such a sharp, inexplicable surge of irritation at the sight of how easily Jiang Boqin was managing to get along with Qiao Meixia.
"Hello there, Meixia. I am your uncle, Jiang Nianzu, your father's much more handsome younger brother." Jiang Nianzu finally said, taking the opportunity to introduce himself with his usual boisterous enthusiasm.
"That is my father!" Jiang Fenfang added with a proud, beaming smile while pointing enthusiastically toward Jiang Nianzu.
As the introductions continued, another distinguished-looking man with a calm, authoritative aura slowly stood up from his seat at the head of the table.
"Hello, I am Jiang Shaoqing. I am also your uncle, specifically, your father's eldest brother." Jiang Shaoqing introduced himself. He offered a kind and gentle smile directed specifically toward Qiao Meixia, his eyes studying her with a touch of warmth.
Qiao Meixia gave a polite, respectful nod in response to his greeting. Following his lead, Jiang Shaoqing's wife, Yin Xiuying, along with his two sons, Jiang Weiyuan and Jiang Zhiqiang, also introduced themselves one after another, completing the introductions for the eldest branch of the family.
Old Master Jiang and Old Madam Jiang had been blessed with three sons and one daughter altogether. Jiang Shaoqing was the eldest pillar of the family, followed by a daughter who was the second child. Jiang Lukang was the third, while the lively Jiang Nianzu was the youngest among the siblings.
"You also have an aunt, though she is not here yet. Her name is Jiang Mingzhu. She could not make it today because she has some urgent and important business matters that require her full attention." Old Master Jiang explained patiently, not wanting his granddaughter to feel overlooked.
Qiao Meixia nodded in silent understanding. In her practical mind, professional work was indeed an extremely vital matter, so she could easily comprehend why someone would miss a family gathering to attend to serious business responsibilities.
Soon afterwards, the group moved toward the grand dining table. Old Master Jiang had specifically gone out of his way to instruct the family chef to prepare a lavish, multi-course meal to celebrate Qiao Meixia's long-awaited return to the Jiang Family.
Jiang Fenfang made sure to snag the seat directly beside Qiao Meixia, while Old Madam Jiang occupied the seat on her other side. The two of them were like a tag team, continuously and enthusiastically placing choice cuts of meat and fresh vegetables into Qiao Meixia's bowl. Everyone else watched this warm and lively display with genuine smiles, with the notable exception of Jiang Lukang's family, whose expressions remained somewhat stiff and forced.
Jiang Yanna bit her lip tightly, her heart sinking as she watched the scene unfolding before her. In the Jiang household, the seats flanking Old Master and Old Madam Jiang were highly symbolic. They represented exactly how much the old couple valued a person within the family hierarchy. Therefore, when Old Madam Jiang personally invited Qiao Meixia to sit in such a prestigious spot, Jiang Yanna immediately felt a sharp, burning surge of jealousy. She had never once been granted the privilege of sitting in that position. Usually, that coveted seat belonged to the favoured Jiang Fenfang.
As for Qiao Meixia, this was the very first time in her life experiencing such a fuss. She felt slightly speechless as she lowered her gaze toward her bowl, which was now piled high with an overwhelming variety of expensive dishes.
***This novel is a work with w e b n o v e l. c o m. If it is not read this novel on w e b n o v e l. c o m, then it has been stolen. Thank you, from your shameless author, ZerahNeko***